Hello, this is Frank.
Back in elementary school, I could barely read kanji. I used to think my classmates who could read them effortlessly were geniuses.
Today, I’m not even sure I can call myself an aspiring writer. Still, I’ve begun writing fiction—clumsily, perhaps—and I’ve grown more sensitive to the power of words.
Take the title of this post. The kanji reads as “hōzuki.” In English, it’s known as a ground cherry. Isn’t that such a beautiful sound?
According to Wikipedia, the name “hōzuki” may come from the way children’s puffed cheeks look when they play by blowing into the fruit, or perhaps from an old Japanese name for the stink bug (hō or ho-o), which often feeds on the plant.
Just hearing the word brings me back to those sun-drenched days of childhood. I remember playing with ground cherries with neighborhood kids—where are they now, I wonder?
If you’re interested in my published works, please have a look here.
Take a moment to relax and enjoy my daughter’s YouTube channel O-Hana Fantasia.
A channel subscription would make us really happy!
Thank you for reading today.
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Today’s ranking for [AMISTAD] is?
■ Frank Yoshida is an award-winning author who made his professional debut in January 2009 after winning the Grand Prize in the “Gateway to Success for New Writers 2008” Contest, sponsored by Goodbook Shuppan, Japan. His acclaimed short love story, Hanarerarenaku-nacchau (“What Would I Do Without You?”), marked the beginning of his published literary journey. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Kobe University of Commerce. ■ Frank brings a wealth of international business experience to the table. With a strong background in Surface Mount Technology (SMT), he served as a technical adviser in key innovation hubs such as Silicon Valley, Hsinchu (Taiwan), and San Jose (California). His global career includes negotiating international investment disputes in the United States, advising in the leather industry, and managing timber import strategies. As a seasoned international business consultant and flexpatriate, he has worked extensively across North America, Latin America, Oceania, Southeast Asia, Europe, and Africa for leading trading companies and multinational clients. ■ A certified English expert, Frank holds ten prestigious English qualifications: UNATE (United Nations Association Test of English) SA Class, BEST (Business English Standard Test) A-Grade, Volunteer Interpreter Test (V-Tsuken) A-Grade, TOPEC (Nursing English) Perfect Score, Nissho Business English Proficiency Test Grade 1, Tourism English Proficiency Test Grade 1, Zensho English Proficiency Test Grade 1, English Vocabulary Test (TANKEN) Grade 1, EIKEN® Grade 1, and Japan's National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification. ■ Frank is also a passionate motorcycle enthusiast. He finds his ultimate freedom cruising along scenic coastlines aboard his beloved Suzuki Hayabusa GSX-1300R mega tourer. He describes the liberating experience in two words: “Stay aloof.”
Frank
